Oshiete is the theme song of the anime TV series Heidi, Girl of the Alps, about an orphan girl who was brought to live with her grandfather in the Alps, based on the story by Johanna Spyri, a Swiss author of children’s stories.
‘Oshiete’ literally means 'please tell me."
The first two stanzas can be heard at the opening of every episode of the series.
About halfway on the first episode, at the scene when Heidi tries to run with Peter and his goats, she took off her many layers of clothes so she can run faster and catch up with them. This is the part where all the six stanzas of the song is played.
Before the song finishes, she introduces herself to Peter:
“Watashi Haiji” (I’m Heidi)
“Haiji to iu no” (Heidi is my name)
“Haiji!” (Heidi!)
“Anata wa?” (And you?)
To which Peter answers:
“Boku… Boku wa Piita da.” (I… I am Peter)
Heidi, Girl of the Alps Episode 1
Original Japanese
口笛はなぜ
遠くまで聞こえるの
あの雲はなぜ
私を待ってるの
教えて、おじいさん
教えて、おじいさん
教えて
アルムのもみの木よ！
雪の山なぜ
バラ色に染まるの
あの風はどこに
隠れているの
教えて、おじいさん
教えて、おじいさん
教えて
アルムのもみの木よ！
眠る時はなぜ
星はそっと見ているの
わらの 中なぜ
いつも暖かいの
教えて、おじいさん
教えて、おじいさん
教えて
アルムのもみの木よ！
Romaji
Kuchibue wa naze
Touku made kikoeru no?
Ano kumo wa naze
Watashi o matteru no?
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete
Arumu no momi no ki yo!
Yuki no yama naze
Barairo ni somaru no
Ano kaze wa doko ni
Kakureteiru no
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete
Arumu no momi no ki yo!
Nemuro toki wa naze
Hoshi wa sotto miteiru no
Wara no naka wa naze
Itsumo attakai no
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete Ojiisan
Oshiete
Arumu no momi no ki yo!
English
Why can a whistle
Be heard from afar?
Why is that cloud
Waiting for me?
Tell me Grandfather
Tell me Grandfather
Oh, tell me
The fir trees of Alm!
Why is the snow mountain
Dyed in rose color?
Where is that wind
Hiding?
Tell me Grandfather
Tell me Grandfather
Oh, tell me
The fir trees of Alm!
Why is it when I’m sleeping
The stars watch over me?
Why is it inside the straws
It is always warm?
Tell me Grandfather
Tell me Grandfather
Oh, tell me
The fir trees of Alm!